26th October 2017, Singapore – (PRESS RELEASE) Olympus Singapore is pleased to announce the launch of the new additions to the F1.2 series lineup – M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO & M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 PRO. The F1.2 series lineup delivers the most beautiful bokeh and outstanding resolution.

Image: The NEW M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 PRO

These compact, lightweight, high-performance professional F1.2 lens features a dustproof, splashproof and freezeproof (-10°) construction along with fast and high precision AF. It conforms to the Micro Four Thirds System standard and provides amazing mobility. When combined with the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, the 121 point all cross-type On-ship Phase Detection sensor provides wide-range, high precision coverage of subjects. Featuring newly developed ED-DSA lens in the 17mm F1.2 PRO, which Olympus is the first to manufacturer to mass produce.

The F1.2 Lens lineup also boasts excellent close-up shooting properties, making it possible to shoot at a closest focusing distance of 20cm and a maximum image magnification of 0.15x (35mm equivalent: 0.3x) for the 17mm F1.2 PRO, while the 45mm F1.2 lens has a closest focusing distance of 50cm and a maximum magnification of 0.1x (35mm equivalent: 0.2x).

Image: The NEW M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 PRO

These two lenses were developed on the same design philosophy as the currently available M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 PRO. The design philosophy consists of delivering a new level of dimensionality achieved by both beautiful feathered bokeh at maximum aperture of F1.2 and outstanding resolution.

Optical breakthroughs from Olympus’ optical R&D focused on not only the size but also the aesthetics of the bokeh, making main subjects, such as people, stand out in a truly magnificent way. Newly developed ED-DSA lens is included on the M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 PRO, which possesses the characteristics of both ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens and DSA lens, of which Olympus was the first manufacturer to successfully mass produce.

Image: The NEW M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO

The new lenses complete a series where characteristics of the feathered bokeh are shared across the three lenses, this benefits not only still photographers but also videographers. Thus resulting in a series that allows for consistency of feathered bokeh across differing focal lengths. Additionally, location and physical size of focusing rings are similar across the range allowing for easier setups of complex manual focusing mechanisms suited to videography when the manual focusing clutch is engaged.

Image: The NEW M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO

Here’s some information based on the Official Press Release, for more information You should visit Olympus’s website.

TECHNOLOGY & FEATURE ADDENDUM

i. Incredible depictive performance delivering both beautiful feathered bokeh and outstanding resolution.Feathered bokeh refers to a bokeh style where the bokeh transitions smoothly from the in-focus to the out-of-focus, provides a smoother overall background bokeh, and thus makes the subject stand out more beautifully.

In order to achieve feathered bokeh, an aberration measuring instrument was utilized to measure defocusing at the aberration level. This ultra-high precision aberration measurement instrument that was produced by our extensive experience in the development of advanced microscope technology, to accurately measure aberrations, helped in the development of lenses that optimize the level of aberrations while minimizing unwanted aberrations in the lens to ensure beautiful quality bokeh.

Image: The Current M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm F1.2 PRO – and with the 2 NEW Zuikos, the trinity is complete.

Newly developed ED-DSA lens is included on the M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 PRO. The EDDSA lens possesses the characteristics of both ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens and DSA lens, of which Olympus was the first manufacturer to successfully mass produce. The ED-DSA lens makes it possible to significantly reduce the number of lens elements, resulting in a lighter product. This construction also effectively compensates for various types of aberrations that tend to occur on wide-angle lenses, such as chromatic aberration, distortion, and color bleeding on the image periphery (magnification chromatic aberration). Extensive use of special lenses incorporated into 15 elements in 11 groups makes outstanding imaging performance possible.

The M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO also contains 3 optimally placed and bonded lens elements including one ED lens, which effectively compensate for out-of-focus color bleeding (axial chromatic aberration), a common problem on large-aperture lenses, as well as peripheral color bleeding (magnified chromatic aberration). The extensive use of special lenses incorporated into 14 elements in 10 groups results in excellent optical performance that delivers feathered bokeh effects and accurate detail reproductions, even at the widest aperture setting.

Both lenses use the same Z Coating Nano technology as on the M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm F1.2 PRO for sharp, clear image quality that significantly reduces ghosts and flares that tend to occur in backlit shots.

Image: The Current M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm F1.2 PRO – and with the 2 NEW Zuikos, the trinity is complete.

ii. Fast & high-precision AF
Both lenses are equipped with an MSC (Movie and Still Compatible) mechanism. Even though these are large-aperture lenses, a lightweight focusing unit allows quiet and high-speed focusing. Most importantly, there are no limitations on AF performance with CSC cameras, as is typical with DSLR cameras when a fast speed lens is used. The 121 point all-cross type On-chip Phase Detection AF sensor provides wide-range, high-precision coverage of subjects even when using a large-aperture f/1.2 lens with the OM-D E-M1 Mark II. Using Face Priority or Eye Priority AF, which are highly regarded by professional portrait photographers, brings out the true power of these large aperture lenses.

iii. Excellent mobility with a compact, lightweight construction and dustproof, splashproof and freezeproof (-10°) performance
Our amazingly compact, lightweight system provides unrivalled mobility with the F1.2 prime lens series. The same operability is realized by making the overall length and the maximum diameter almost the same size. A uniform lens filter diameter across the three F1.2 lenses allows the photographer to use the same lens filters such as ND filters and PL filters. The f/1.2 prime lens series also features reliable dustproof, splashproof and freezeproof (-10°C) performance as the M.Zuiko PRO series for use under any weather conditions.

1. Other Featuresi. Excellent close-up shooting
The M.Zuiko Digital ED 17mm F1.2 PRO has a closest focusing distance of 20 cm and a maximum image magnification of 0.15x (35mm equivalent: 0.3x), while the M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm F1.2 PRO has a closest focusing distance of 50 cm and a maximum image magnification of 0.1x (35mm equivalent: 0.2x), giving these two lenses the same top class close-up shooting abilities as the M.Zuiko Digital ED 25mm f/1.2 PRO.

ii. Design
These lenses were designed with the high level professional photographer in mind. The focusing ring placed at the front of the lens makes focusing easier when paired with the large grip of the OM-D E-M1 Mark II. Keeping the L-Fn button on a gently curving surface makes it easy to access. The MF Clutch mechanism makes it possible to instantly switch between auto and manual focusing mode by pulling the focusing ring toward you.